Ho,
ho, ho! Christmas, Schmistmas! For us boaters, this (cue
the Mitch Miller music) is the Most . . . wonderful time .
. . of the yearrrrr! Yes, boys and girls, it's almost
April! And for Chesapeake Bay Magazine friends
and family that means two things: (1) you're about to get
your April issue of CBM, hand-crafted by tiny
Chesapeake elves and chock-full of excellent ideas for the
coming boating season, and (2) we are going to brag about
our writers.

Yes,
our fabulous scribes have done it again--scored big in the
annual Boating Writers International writing
awards. BWI announced in February at its annual
meeting at the International Boat Show in Miami
that CBM writers took two gold medals, one
silver, one bronze and two honorable mentions in the
competition for 2012 articles. We list the winners below,
with our heartiest congratulations, and with links to the
articles that won them fame, fortune (yes, the awards come
with cash prizes) and the undying admiration of their
peers and readers.

Writer
Michael Fincham won first prize in the environment
category for his excellent and thorough May 2012 article
on the controversy surrounding proposed (and now real)
restrictions on the harvest of Atlantic menhaden, called "Food
Fight." Also winning in the environment category was
Marty LeGrand, who won the bronze for "That
Sinking Feeling," her November article on the
potential effects of sea-level rise and land subsidence
around the Bay.

Taking the top prize in the boating-lifestyles category
was Jane Meneely, for "Magic
of Oz," in last year's July issue, a sweet tale of
friends and family rallying around a widow to help her
keep her boat on the water. Editor T.F. (Tim) Sayles won
2nd place in the seamanship & safety category for "Don't
Go There," our July article on restricted boating
areas on the Bay. Tim also won an honorable mention for
his Patuxent River War of 1812 travelogue, "A
Large Fleet Stalking Through the Wood," in the
October issue, as did senior editor Jody Schroath for her
December article, "A
Sense of Rachel Carson."

It should be noted that this is not a first for any of
these folks. In fact it would take one heck of a big
trophy wall to accommodate all the honors these five
people have won on CBM's behalf. Our
congratulations and thanks to them all!

Set
your course for the Chesapeake Beach Resort and Spa for
a truly pleasurable boating destination experience,
especially this month, when the Rod ‘N’ Reel Dock kicks
off the fishing season on April 20. Keep watch at chesapeakebeachresortspa.com
for marina, hotel and dining special rates, packages and
events. This place is truly where hospitality meets the
Bay.

Campbell's
Boatyards is offering a $25 gift
certificate towards dinner at a local restaurant when
you stay 3 nights. $2/ft per night + $5 per night
electricity charge. Transient slips available at
Bachelor Point, Jack's Point, and Town Creek locations.

Yachtview
Brokerage of Annapolis is offering
complimentary dockage and weekly professional cleaning
until your boat is sold. Available for power and sailing
yachts from 20' to 80'. 410-923-1400.

Ferry
Point Marina on the Magothy is offering
one month free with a new slip rental. 410-544-6368

Lippincott
Marine at Kent Narrows is offering free
monthly boat washings with new annual slip contract,
through July 2013. 410-827-9300